Dillian Whyte vs Óscar Rivas: The Brixton man faces the unbeaten Colombian in one the heavyweight fights of the year

This weekend sees a heavyweight clash with a title opportunity in the balance as Dillian Whyte and Óscar Rivas will square off at the o2 Arena in London.

Whyte, who knocked out Dereck Chisora in December last year, may finally find himself in a position to throw-down with WBC Heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder. However, before he can think about a scrap with the American, he must get through rough and ready challenger, Óscar Rivas.

WINNER FACES WILDER? @EddieHearn confirmed @DillianWhyte will become WBC mandatory if he beats Oscar Rivas and that fight could happen in May or June 2020 ?✅ pic.twitter.com/B8zEdXqJtw

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) July 17, 2019

The Columbian is currently 26-0 and is coming following his late stoppage of Bryant Jennings earlier this year, despite being relatively unknown, Rivas boasts outstanding pedigree. The Columbian boasts 300 amateur fights where he beat both Kubrat Pulev and Andy Ruiz Jr, who recently knocked out Anthony Joshua.

Whilst he may not have mass amount of big names on his pro-record, his dispatching of Jennings is perhaps his most high-profile to date, considering the American has battled against the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Luis Ortiz.

Rivas has shown across his career that he has superb fitness levels and is capable of solid combination punching, often culminating with his powerful right hand. His work-rate and combination punching may very well be what allows him to cause problems for ‘The Bodysnatcher.’ Should he be able to work his combinations to bring in his right hand, he could very well cause an upset. However, that will be easier said than done.

Whyte, who’s only career loss came against former champion, Anthony Joshua, is as game as the come in the Heavyweight division. The Brixton native is tough and incredibly durable, something he has shown throughout his career alongside his vicious power. Whyte has fought off some incredible competition since his loss to Joshua, beating out the likes of Dereck Chisora, Joesph Parker and Lucas Browne on his wrecking path back to the top of the game.

Dillian Whyte’s left hook proved decisive against Derek Chisora – Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Capable of keeping the fight long and being patient, Whyte will be aware of the danger of Rivas as he has shown in the past. Against Chisora, Whyte showed his toughness against the consistent pressure of ‘WAR’ Chisora, biding his time before brutally finishing the fight in the eleventh round.

With both fighters possessing solid jabs, knockout power and immense durability, it could just become a war of attrition. Whilst it is known that Dillian Whyte is very much capable of holding his own when dragged into the trenches, Óscar Rivas comes into this fight as something of an unknown entity.

Whilst Bryant Jennings has experience against elite boxers, Rivas is yet to be consistently tested by experienced championship fighters in the same way Whyte is. This fight will come down to whether Whyte continues his seemingly unstoppable path to a title shot or whether or not Rivas is the real deal capable of causing an upset in London.

Dillian Whyte’s last 5 opponents:

Dereck Chisora (Win via KO),

Joseph Parker (Win via Unanimous Decision),

Lucas Browne (Win via KO),

Robert Helenius (Win via Unanimous Decision),

Malcolm Tann (Win via Technical Knockout)

Óscar Rivas’ last 5 opponents:

Bryant Jennings (Win via KO),

Fabio Maldonado (Win via Unanimous Decision),

Herve Hubeaux (Win via Unanimous Decision),

Sergio Ramirez (Win via Corner Retirement),

Gabriel Enguema (Win via Points)